Community Services Volunteer - Volunteer Position - Onsite in Guatemala - 2 years, plus 3 months training
Peace Corps
United States
Posted on Aug 2, 2025
About The Job
Apply by :
January 1, 2026
Know By
March 1, 2026
Depart On
September 6, 2026
Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training
ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Project description
Since 1963, over 5,000 Volunteers have served in Guatemala making it one of the Peace Corps’ longest standing posts. Volunteers serve in municipalities in one of six departments in the Western Highlands. A country of striking features and a strong indigenous culture, Guatemala's natural beauty and powerful identity stand prominent in Central America. Indigenous populations make up about half of the population, with a high concentration in the Western Highlands. More than 20 indigenous languages are spoken alongside Spanish. Strategically located, with substantial natural resources and a young multi-ethnic population, Guatemala has enormous potential to generate growth and prosperity for its people. High rates of childhood malnutrition and low rates of opportunities for youth, women and the indigenous populations threaten Guatemala’s ability to reach its full potential. Peace Corps Guatemala responds with strategic governmental collaborations and community empowerment within three program areas: Youth in Development, Maternal and Child Health, and Rural Extension.
Over 50 percent of Guatemala’s population is currently under the age of 25. This poses both a challenge and an opportunity. Some youths are not provided with sufficient information and agency to make decisions about their health and well-being. Parents, service providers, and community leaders can empower youth to be positive agents of change in their communities.
The Youth in Development program seeks to support Guatemalan youth in their transition to becoming healthy, productive, civically engaged adults. To reach this goal, Volunteers will collaborate with youth and key community members to strengthen knowledge and skills in the areas of health, well-being, and life skills. Programs will promote and strengthen community engagement and build capacity among youth service providers, educators, and community leaders in the implementation of positive youth development methodologies.
Volunteers will collaborate with local youth service providers to provide learning and engagement opportunities to youth between the ages of 12 to 18 and implement positive youth development activities. Youth service providers can be teachers, principals, municipality workers, NGO workers, or any other local member that works with training and empowering youth. The Volunteers’ primary role is to serve as a Program Coordinator and co-lead youth development efforts inside and outside of school, typically in a public middle school setting. The Volunteer serves as a trainer, co-facilitator, and mentor to collaborate on designing and implementing health and life skills training for Guatemalan youth with the youth service providers. Topics include life skills development, sexual and reproductive health, substance abuse prevention, service learning, leadership, and community engagement. Common Volunteer activities in the school setting include but are not limited to life skills classes, youth clubs, school fairs, school assemblies, arts, and work with student councils. Common Volunteer activities outside of the school setting include but are not limited to participation in local community meetings, sports, church groups, women’s groups, environmental clubs, and work with Non-Governmental-Organizations (NGOs).
A large part of the role is collaborating directly with youth and adults in both traditional and non-traditional learning environments and being sensitive and flexible to cultural norms.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
Apply by :
January 1, 2026
Know By
March 1, 2026
Depart On
September 6, 2026
Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training
ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Project description
Since 1963, over 5,000 Volunteers have served in Guatemala making it one of the Peace Corps’ longest standing posts. Volunteers serve in municipalities in one of six departments in the Western Highlands. A country of striking features and a strong indigenous culture, Guatemala's natural beauty and powerful identity stand prominent in Central America. Indigenous populations make up about half of the population, with a high concentration in the Western Highlands. More than 20 indigenous languages are spoken alongside Spanish. Strategically located, with substantial natural resources and a young multi-ethnic population, Guatemala has enormous potential to generate growth and prosperity for its people. High rates of childhood malnutrition and low rates of opportunities for youth, women and the indigenous populations threaten Guatemala’s ability to reach its full potential. Peace Corps Guatemala responds with strategic governmental collaborations and community empowerment within three program areas: Youth in Development, Maternal and Child Health, and Rural Extension.
Over 50 percent of Guatemala’s population is currently under the age of 25. This poses both a challenge and an opportunity. Some youths are not provided with sufficient information and agency to make decisions about their health and well-being. Parents, service providers, and community leaders can empower youth to be positive agents of change in their communities.
The Youth in Development program seeks to support Guatemalan youth in their transition to becoming healthy, productive, civically engaged adults. To reach this goal, Volunteers will collaborate with youth and key community members to strengthen knowledge and skills in the areas of health, well-being, and life skills. Programs will promote and strengthen community engagement and build capacity among youth service providers, educators, and community leaders in the implementation of positive youth development methodologies.
Volunteers will collaborate with local youth service providers to provide learning and engagement opportunities to youth between the ages of 12 to 18 and implement positive youth development activities. Youth service providers can be teachers, principals, municipality workers, NGO workers, or any other local member that works with training and empowering youth. The Volunteers’ primary role is to serve as a Program Coordinator and co-lead youth development efforts inside and outside of school, typically in a public middle school setting. The Volunteer serves as a trainer, co-facilitator, and mentor to collaborate on designing and implementing health and life skills training for Guatemalan youth with the youth service providers. Topics include life skills development, sexual and reproductive health, substance abuse prevention, service learning, leadership, and community engagement. Common Volunteer activities in the school setting include but are not limited to life skills classes, youth clubs, school fairs, school assemblies, arts, and work with student councils. Common Volunteer activities outside of the school setting include but are not limited to participation in local community meetings, sports, church groups, women’s groups, environmental clubs, and work with Non-Governmental-Organizations (NGOs).
A large part of the role is collaborating directly with youth and adults in both traditional and non-traditional learning environments and being sensitive and flexible to cultural norms.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field
- 5 years' professional work experience